Comment from social housing lawyers Winckworth Sherwood

The long-awaited Social Housing (Regulation) Act received Royal Assent on Thursday. The Act creates a strong regulatory framework and will drive standards to help registered providers deliver a better service to social housing tenants.

The Act introduces a proactive consumer regulatory remit with the Regulator of Social Housing able to intervene including the ability to hold surveys on the condition of homes with just 48 hours’ notice. It will also adopt Awaab’s Law, requiring social housing providers to investigate and fix reported hazards in a yet to be specified timeframe or rehouse tenants where a home cannot be made safe.

The Act is multifaceted, says social housing lawyers Winckworth Sherwood. Much of the detail has been well-publicised and social housing providers will need to ensure that they have taken action to implement the requirements of the Act.

Matt Cowen, a senior associate focused on social housing governance at Winckworth Sherwood comments:

“This Act represents a fundamental change in the relationship between registered providers (RPs) and their tenants. It is essential that RPs get to grips with the new regime and alter the way they operate their services accordingly with reference to specific tenant and stock profiles.

“RPs have had plenty of notice of the contents of this Act so preparations should be well-advanced to comply with the new regime including, since April 2023, collecting data on the Tenant Satisfaction Measures.

“The Regulator of Social Housing intends to consult on the new consumer standards this summer and start proactively assessing RPs on their compliance with these standards from April 2024.”